SWORN
" Engaging action roguelike with fast-paced combat and multiplayer co-op but frequent disconnects "
SWORN Review
SWORN is a multiplayer-focused roguelite heavily inspired by Hades, set in an Arthurian mythos universe. Players appreciate its fast-paced, engaging combat and the variety offered by multiple heroes, weapons, and build customizations. The game shines in its cooperative multiplayer mode, providing a fresh social experience in the genre. The art style and thematic setting receive positive remarks, with many praising the game's atmosphere and design. However, the storyline is considered minimal and underdeveloped, lacking the narrative depth seen in comparable titles like Hades.
Despite its strengths, SWORN currently suffers from significant issues, especially connectivity problems in multiplayer such as frequent disconnections and lack of rejoin options, which frustrate players. Balance concerns, particularly regarding difficulty scaling and weapon/god blessing effectiveness, have been noted. Some players also report bugs like freezing after boss fights and inconsistent loot rewards. While promising, the game is viewed as an early access title needing refinement before full recommendation.
Highlights
Players praise SWORN for its smooth, fast-paced combat and the diverse playstyles enabled by different heroes and weapons. The cooperative multiplayer aspect is highly valued, adding a unique social layer to the roguelite formula. The art direction and Arthurian setting are frequently highlighted as atmospheric and well-crafted. Additionally, the progression system and build variety keep runs feeling fresh and rewarding, with many enjoying experimentation and replayability.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on multiplayer connectivity issues, including frequent disconnects and no ability to rejoin, which detracts from the co-op experience. Difficulty scaling is seen as uneven, with some areas becoming frustratingly punishing, especially in solo mode. Weapon and blessing balance problems lead to certain builds feeling underpowered or less fun. Bugs such as game freezes after boss fights and inconsistent loot drops further impact player enjoyment. The story and lore are considered shallow, with calls for more narrative content.
Pros
- • Engaging and fast-paced combat keeps gameplay exciting and skill-based.
- • Multiplayer co-op adds a fun social dimension to the roguelite formula.
- • Variety of heroes and weapons allows for diverse playstyles and builds.
- • Art style and Arthurian theme create a compelling and immersive atmosphere.
- • Progression system rewards continued play and unlocks meaningful content.
- • Smooth game feel with satisfying controls and responsive mechanics.
- • Unique boss fights with minion mechanics increase challenge and interest.
Cons
- • Frequent multiplayer disconnects severely disrupt cooperative gameplay.
- • No option to rejoin after disconnecting frustrates players.
- • Difficulty scaling can become unbalanced and overly punishing.
- • Some weapons and blessings feel underpowered or poorly balanced.
- • Bugs such as freezes after boss fights cause lost progress.
- • Loot rewards are inconsistent and sometimes feel unrewarding.
- • Story and lore are minimal and lack depth compared to similar games.
Rating Criteria
SWORN is a 1-4 player co-op action rogue-like. Explore and reclaim a fallen Camelot from the reign of a corrupted Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.